Important: If you're submitting your application by mail and this is the first time you've registered in Bernalillo County or the state of New Mexico, you must include with your completed application: a copy of a valid photo ID (such as a state-issued ID or driver's license or passport) or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address in the county. This way you won't have to show ID at the polls.

3) You can also register at any organized voter drive or with any third party voter registrant agent, such as a branch of the Democratic or Republican parties.

4) Votenm.net is an online option with information in both English and Spanish.

Were you one of 178,000 people who got a card in the mail from the Secretary of State's Office regarding your voting status?

There's been a lot of worry and confusion about those cards, but don't freak out if you received one. You can (and should!) still vote in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Whether or not you responded to the mailing—but especially if you didn't—your voter registration status will automatically be listed as "active" if you simply vote in a general election between now and the end of 2014. That's yet another reason to vote in November.

The mailing was part of SOS Dianna Duran’s effort to comply with federal rules that require the state to accurately keep track of eligible voters. You can watch a video of her explaining how this process works at bit.ly/U29vi2.

If you have questions about the status of your voter registration, call the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office at 243-VOTE (8683) or the Secretary of State (505) 827-3600 and (800) 477-3632.

Finally, there's information aplenty on both the county and state elections websites: